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SCOTT FOUNTAIN

THIS FOUNTAIN LOCATED ON BELLE ISLE WAS DONATED BY ONE OF
DETROIT'S MOST NOTORIOUS GAMBLERS AND PRACTICAL JOKERS, WHOSE
NAME THE FOUNTAIN BEARS. THE MONEY FOR THIS HISTORIC LANDMARK
WAS SUPPOSEDLY WON FROM THREE OF DETROIT'S MORE PROMINENT FIGURES
IN A GAME OF CHANCE. IT WAS THE OBJECTION OF THESE THREE THAT
DELAYED ITS CONSTRUCTION FOR SOME THIRTY YEARS. THE FOUNTAIN
NOW STANDS AS AN ETERNAL MOCKERY OF THESE NOBLE CITIZENS, WHO
SCOTT ONCE CUSSED BY SAYING HE WOULD GET THE LAST LAUGH.

Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Fountain Well Aqueduct

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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KIBITZER

ANY CARD PLAYER WILL TELL YOU A KIBITZER IS THE LOWEST FORM OF
HUMANITY; HE'S CONTINUALLY PEEKING INTO YOUR HAND, SMIRKING AND
GIVING UNNECESSARY ADVICE. KIBITZERS AREN'T NICE. THE NAME
KIBITZER COMES FROM THE WORD KIBITZ, GERMAN FOR LAPWING OR PLOVER.
THIS CREATURE JABBERS INCESSANTLY, BUT CANNOT SING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; 1460 MEAD ; ROCHESTER

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Bird
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Explanation of a name
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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LEONARD QUICKBEAR

WHEN I WAS COACHING THE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TEAM AT THE ST.
FRANCIS MISSION ON THE SIOUX INDIAN RESERVATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA,
OUR STAR PLAYER WAS AN INDIAN BY THE NAME OF LEONARD QUICKBEAR.
HE WAS ONLY ABOUT 5' 7", BUT HE COULD TOUCH THE RIM OF THE BASKET.
EVERYONE ON THE TEAM WAS EXCEPTIONALLY QUICK, SO I USED TO GIVE
THEM A REAL PASSING WORKOUT. WHEN THEY GOT THE BALL MOVING AROUND
AS FAST AS I'D EVER SEEN A HIGH SCHOOL TEAM MOVE IT, I TOLD THEM
THEY LOOKED LIKE TIRED 8TH GRADERS. I KEPT YELLING AT THEM, AND
THEY FINALLY GOT THE BALL MOVING AROUND TEN TIMES AS FAST AS
BEFORE.
LEONARD'S BEST SHOT WAS FROM RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BENCH. HE'D
TURN WITH HIS BACK TO THE BASKET, STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE
BENCH, AND FLIP THE BALL BACKWARDS OVER HIS HEAD. IT WENT IN
ABOUT 80 PERCENT OF THE TIME.
WELL, WE WON THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL TOURNAMENT THAT YEAR, AND THEN
WE CHALLENGED THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS TO A GAME. YOU KNOW HOW
THEY ALWAYS FOOL AROUND AND PLAY TRICKS DURING A GAME. WELL, THEY
BEAT US BY THREE OR FIVE POINTS, AND THEY NEVER GOT FAR ENOUGH
AHEAD TO TRY ANY TRICKS.
AFTER LEONARD GOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, HE FORMED A TEAM SIMILAR TO
THE GLOBETROTTERS. THEY WERE PLAYING AT OLYMPIA ONE NIGHT. BY
THIS TIME, MY WIFE AND I HAD MOVED TO DETROIT, SO WE DECIDED TO GO
DOWN AND SEE THEM PLAY. THE SIGN OUT IN FRONT OF OLYMPIA READ,
"LEONARD QUICKBEAR & HIS SIOUX INDIANS." WELL, THAT WAS IN THE
DAYS WHEN, DURING HOCKEY SEASON, THEY'D PUT THE BASKETBALL FLOOR
RIGHT OVER THE ICE. AS THE TEAMS CAME OUT, I DIDN'T SEE LEONARD.
SO FINALLY I JUMPED RIGHT UP, RAN DOWN, JUMPED OVER THE RETAINING
WALL, AND THEN I SLIPPED ON THE ICE. FINALLY I GOT UP AND RAN
OVER TO ONE OF THE INDIANS AND ASKED HIM WHERE LEONARD WAS.
"OH," HE SAID, "WE LEFT HIM IN CHICAGO."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL ; HISTORY

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 01001966, 09001968

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NOT GIVEN

THERE WAS A SHRINE TO THE BLESSED MOTHER ON THIS MOUNTAIN IN
ITALY. IT WAS A VERY SACRED PLACE. THERE THE STATUE WAS ENCASED
IN GLASS. ONE DAY SOME BOYS WERE PLAYING "BOTCHES" (LIKE BOWLING)
AND ONE OF THE BALLS ROLLED NEAR THE GLASS CASE, THE NEXT ONE
ROLLED AND BROKE THE GLASS AT THE FEET OF THE STATUE. THE FEET
OF THE STATUE STARTED BLEEDING.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS COLLECTOR'S MOTHER.

Data entry tech comment: "BOTCHES" = BOCCI BALL?

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Feet, toes, toenails

Date learned: 10-14-1965

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MYSTERIOUS LIGHTHOUSE

DURING A FOG, A SHIP SPOTTED A LIGHTHOUSE NEAR THE COAST OF MAINE.
SEVERAL OF THE MEN LEFT THE SHIP IN A SMALL BOAT AND HEADED TO THE
LIGHTHOUSE. WHILE THEY WERE THERE, TWO OF THE MEN DECIDED TO
HAVE A RACE FROM THE TOP OF THE LIGHTHOUSE TO THE BOTTOM. THEIR
BET, WHICH CONSISTED OF A KNIFE, A COMPASS, AND SEVERAL COINS, WAS
TIED IN A HANDKERCHIEF AND DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. ONE OF THE MEN
STARTED DOWN THE STEPS AND THE OTHER JUMPED OUT OF THE WINDOW.
WHEN THE MAN WHO USED THE STEPS REALIZED THIS, HE RAN BACK UP THE
STEPS AND LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW. HE COULD NOT SEE THE OTHER
MAN. WHEN HE WENT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIGHTHOUSE, THE HANDKER-
CHIEF WAS ALSO GONE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Product or activity of man or animal
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Means of transportation Water craft or boat propelled by human, wind, mechanical or other force

Date learned: 11-20-1968

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PEDIDDLE

IF A GUY SEES A CAR WITH ONLY 1 LIGHT ON, HE SAYS "PEDIDDLE" AND
KISSES THE GIRL. IF THE GIRL SEES IT FIRST, SHE SLAPS HIS FACE.

Where learned: DETROIT ; TOLD IN

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
SPEECH -- Formula

Date learned: 10-02-1970

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WHEN PLAYING A GAME ALL OF THE PLAYERS PUT THEIR HANDS
ON TOP OF EACH OTHER AND ONE PERSON SMACKS THE TOP
OF THE PILE AND SAYS GAME LOCKED. NO ONE ELSE CAN
JOIN THE GAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Verse Game Verse
SPEECH -- Instructions Directions

Date learned: 10-00-1971

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DIVERS' GESTURES

THUMB AND INDEX FINGER CLOSED IN A CIRCLE, OTHER FINGERS
STRAIGHT: ALL RIGHT? AND ALL RIGHT.
HIT CHEST WITH CLOSED FIST: LOW ON AIR.
MAKE CUTTING MOTION ACROSS THROAT WITH INDEX FINGER:
OUT OF AIR.
TAKE MOUTHPIECE OUT OF MOUTH: GIVE ME AIR.
CLOSED FIST WITH THUMB POINTING UP/DOWN: LET'S
GO UP/DOWN.

Where learned: DEARBORN ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Entertainment Diversion
SPEECH -- Instructions Directions

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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Entertainment: Game

Method of Choosing IT:

To choose the "it" in a smae, the kids get together and someone would volunteer. Everyone eventually got chosen, and the ones that did not volunteer often enough were made "it" by mob rule. The informant learned it from the neighborhood kids.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN [C570, C570.500] crossde out. Replaced with current classifications.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; Ferrence, Mike

Keyword(s): CHILDREN ; Entertainment ; GAME ; Playground

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

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Language: Games

Pastime:

If you see another child with money you yell- "Butts on you." He then must share anything he buys with that money with you. However, when he pulls out his money, if he yells - "fan butts" first, then he doesn't have to share his purchases.

Submitter comment:

Bill used to play this as a child when he was given money, or if one of his friends was given money. He said it was common to yell this.

Data entry tech comment:

Motifs added by TRD

James Callow comment:

Miscellaneous grammar correction written on card.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Felsenfeld, William

Keyword(s): Buy ; CHILDREN ; Currency ; Dollars ; GAME ; MONEY ; Own ; Ownership ; Pastime ; Purchase ; Share

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
SPEECH -- Formula

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Counting Game

Eeenie meenie, dik-sha deenie

ooka amaleenie

acha pacha umma lacha

I Love You

Data entry tech comment:

The only information available on the card is that it was submitted by a "Joy."

Where learned: UNKNOWN

Keyword(s): COUNTING RHYME ; GAME ; RHYME ; Selection

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

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BELIEF

THE BLESSED MOTHER TURNS HER BACK ON GIRLS WHO WHISTLE.

Submitter comment:

THIS WAS TOLD TO ME BY FR. CAHILL WHO HEARD IT FROM HIS IRISH MOTHER.
SHE TOLD IT TO HER DAUGHTER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Cahill, Rev. Eugene

Keyword(s): Blessed Mother ; Girls ; Holy Mother ; Indecent ; Mary ; MOTHER ; RELIGION ; Whistle

James Callow Keyword(s): FRIVOLITY

Subject headings: Daily Life
Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime
BELIEF -- Religious hero
BELIEF -- Entertainment Diversion

Date learned: 01-22-1968

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Games

Chuck-farthing, May-pole dancing, marbles, hoop and hide, fishing, blindman's bluff, King am I, hop-skip-jump, I send a letter to my love, cricket, leap-frog, bird-nesting, and tag.

 

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

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Jump Rope Verse

Down in the valley where the green grass grows
There sits _______ sweet as a rose
Along came _______ and kissed her on the cheek
How many kisses did she get
One,
Two,
Three,
etc.

 

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; McCann Elementary School ; first grade girls

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

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Jump Rope Verse

Cinderella, dressed in yella
Went to town to see her fella
How many petticoats did she wear?
One
Two
Three
Four
etc.

 

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; NASHVILLE ; McCann Elementary School ; first grade girls

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

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Drinking Game: Zoom, Schwartz, Profigliano

The game starts by the leader saying "Does everyone here know how to play zoom schwartz profigliano?," to which all players must respond "yes." He then looks at a player and says "zoom." The zoomed player can either respond "schwartz" to the zoomer or he may zoom another player. He may not zoom his zoomer until two others have been brought into the game. If a person responds "schwartz" to his zoomer the turn stays with the zoomer, who may then either schwartz the schwartzer or turn to another player and say "profigliano," which forces the schwartzer to schwartz again. A miss is called a splivvich. Anyone who makes a splivvich must pay the penalty by chugging a glass of beer. The splivvicher then becomes the leader and the game restarts. There are other rules which are not listed here, as they must be learned by practical experience.

 

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.
Informant was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida, where he probably learned this.

 

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; FLORIDA ; NASHVILLE ; PENSACOLA

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Game Pastime

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